Musician Melissa Auf der Maur Leads Multidisciplinary Arts Center in Hudson, New York

Canadian musician Melissa Auf der Maur, previously the bassist for bands Hole and The Smashing Pumpkins, relocated to Hudson, a small town in upstate New York, after concluding her music career. In 2010, she and her husband, filmmaker Tony Stone, established Basilica Hudson, a nonprofit arts center located in a repurposed 19th-century industrial building. The venue draws approximately 200,000 attendees per season for diverse programming including live music, film screenings, art installations, and community events. Auf der Maur aimed to provide cultural experiences she valued, addressing a perceived gap in the region's offerings. She emphasized preserving analog entertainment in response to increasing digital distractions. Among the center's initiatives is the Basilica Farm and Flea, a market held three times annually around Mother's Day, summer, and late November, featuring around 150 local vendors such as farmers, artisans, and antique dealers. This event serves as an alternative to Black Friday shopping. Upcoming musical performances at the venue include acts like Ty Seagall, Thievery Corporation, Dry Cleaning, The Wallflowers, and Sugar. Additional programs encompass a nonfiction film series, a 24-hour drone event, and an artist residency. Auf der Maur views the center as a way to contribute to local community life, inspired by her upbringing in Montreal. Her daughter has also engaged in entrepreneurial activities within the community. The arts center reflects Auf der Maur's commitment to fostering culture and economic support for local creators in Hudson.